Songwriter/performer/producer/engineer John Fishell has released an album called We’ve Got a Live One available on most platforms featuring an energetic 45-minute live-performed set of his original music (along with two covers). The album was originally recorded in June 2022 at the Wreckingroom Studio in Lyons, Colorado via the www.volume.com streaming platform. John was busy for the following months mixing the recording in accordance with his demanding and strict requirements.
“On that night, the band guys were killing it as usual, my guitar playing and singing worked out, and I thought my overall emotion translated pretty well into bullet vibrators the recording, so BOOM – that’s an album right there!”
A lot of the tracks on the album aren’t yet released in “studio” versions so the audience is listening to songs such as”Here’s Looking at You and God Save the Queen for the first time. Fishell uses cleverly back tracks that have been synchronized from recordings in the studio (all performed by himself) giving a massive big, more expansive sound normally reserved for big bands the rock gods and groups with over three members. Just when you think you’re stuck, John is able to switch gears and play a slick, intimate ballad in the middle of key moments in the collection to keep the music fresh and exciting.
Fishell’s musical influences are quite clear throughout the album – fans of the Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, AC/DC, Queen, Led Zeppelin and even the Beatles, The Who, 70s, 80s and 90s rock will feel vindication .. yet … John’s unique singing voice, clever/compact/thoughtful song construction, and some eclectic “nuggets” provide hidden treasures upon multiple listens. Veteran musicians Brian McRae (drums) and Mario Pagliarulo (bass) form the solid, but explosive rhythm section giving John the space and flexibility to give a passionate and emotional performance.
Unexpected highlights include an interesting “dance” version of AC/DC’s Hell’s Bells complete with a “balls-in-the-vicegrips” ending vocal, smooth Rush-like time signature shifts in the song Here’s Looking at You, a Gary Glitter “stadium shout” gem in God Save the Queen, and the radio-friendly Pushing and Pulling.
About John Fishell:
John Fishell is a rock singer/songwriter/guitarist as well as a recording engineer, producer, and educator based in Alexandria, Virginia near Washington DC.
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